Poorest nations to be aided by India-UN Fund

Marking a milestone in South-South Cooperation, the India-UN Development Partnership Fund has been launched to help the poorest countries achieve the world organisation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to reduce poverty and raise the quality of life in order “to meet the challenges of our times”.

M.J. Abkar, the Minister of State for External Affairs at the launch of the Fund said, “We are confident that this partnership will meet the challenge of our times – shared prosperity.”

The fund launched will focus on least developed countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and it will be managed by the UN Office of South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).

Akbar also said, “If the 21st century is going to be an egalitarian age, nations are no longer big or small, they are fundamentally equal.”

According to the Permanent Representative of India, Syed Akbaruddin,“The Fund will start with an initial contribution of $1 million for its first project, Climate Early Warning System in Pacific Island Countries (CEWSPIC).”

“India’s approach to cooperation can be summarized as Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or the whole word is one family” and this drives nation’s South-South Cooperation,” he added.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a message:

“South-South Cooperation is a powerful tool as we advance, together, towards the Sustainable Development Goals and fulfil the promise to leave no one behind.”

During the launch of the Fund, UNOSSC Director Jorge Chediek said that it was yet another instance of India’s contributions to “shaping a better world” and its “notable leadership and drive towards ensuring that no one is left behind, both in India and worldwide.”